Mr. Grove. I usually roll with the punches, as I roll with the waves. But in this case I feel sucker punched. As you read the reviews from other fishermen, you will see that we have never had a negative review. You are the first.
You write “we trolled for mackerel the entire time,” (like that’s a bad thing) but that is what we do in a sportfishing boat when those are the dominant species available. It would seem somewhat silly to fish for other species that aren’t here now nor within reach on a half day trip. Most fish visiting the Crystal Coast are migratory and come in waves of varying species, roughly predictable by the calendar. It’s now mackerel time.
If the fishing technique didn’t suit your expectations and you want your party to be first time fishermen casting top water plugs like the pros on TV, perhaps one of the other local guides in a center console, fishing in protected waters would be better.
As for being a total waste of money, I have to disagree. There may be some value in learning that you and your party should adjust expectations, as you told me that none of you had ever fished before. You may also have learned that you and yours would do better pursuing land based hobbies that better match habit choices.
We are not a cruise ship nor luxury liner, but a hard-core fishing operation that fishes hard.
Don’t forget that after we found a few responsive fish four miles out on a beautiful tideline, at your parties’ request, we left that area and came closer to the beach hoping to abate a sickness episode. The tide turned and the fish starting biting, even right up close the beach where we were fishing. Within minutes, you asked that we end the trip.
Please remember that when we came through the channel early at your request, I offered to provide a tour of the beautiful Beaufort Harbor, inside Carrot Island. Nobody gets seasick in there, and people pay money to take that tour, watching the wild ponies and seeing the historic waterfront. You refused. I did what I could.
Good Day,
Cap’n Dan

Mr. Grove. I usually roll with the punches, as I roll with the waves. But in this case I feel sucker punched. As you read the reviews from other fishermen, you will see that we have never had a negative review. You are the first. You write “we trolled for mackerel the entire time,” (like that’s a bad thing) but that is what we do in a sportfishing boat when those are the dominant species available. It would seem somewhat silly to fish for other species that aren’t here now nor within... More